Dec 7, 2012

Marikana: A view from the mountain and a case to answer

The first book detailing the events of the Marikana tragedy has been launched by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) President, Joe Seoka, at the University of Johannesburg.

More than 30 Lonmin mineworkers, who were on the koppie on August 16 when 34 people died, were interviewed by a research team from the University.

Co-author, Peter Alexander, says the aim of the book is to show the tragedy from the mineworkers' perspective.

He says their work did not aim to be neutral but to showcase the victim's side.

“We are not neutral and therefore capable of relating and responding to workers in a way which is sympathetic but we are, nevertheless, objective in the way in which we undertake our inquiry,” says Alexander.

He says that they do not have the capacity to present their book as if it is an overview and answer which can compare with the Inquiry.

He says that it is a book that is limited in it is perspective. “We are trying to present the view of one group who were present, the workers,” he added.